We had heard it might be a little windy but we never imagined how bad the wind could get. We departed Oahu at 5:30am and arrived in Kona at 6am. As we walked off the airplane and headed to the terminal, we thought it was a little breezy but nothing too bad. After we got into our rental van, Sean and I both relaxed as Russ drove us to Hapuna. Russ kept sticking his hand out the window mentioning, “Its getting windy.”. I dismissed his thoughts saying, “Nah, its not too badthe trees arent bending yet”. Silly me..I should have just shut up!
We arrived at Hapuna located in Kamuela and walked up to the clubhouse. ****SIGN 1*** There were no golfers to be seen anywhere. It was about 7:30am and the place was empty. The attendant at the desk asked us if we wanted to grab some carts and head out. Russ told them that our time was in 2 hours. ***SIGN 2*** The attendant said, “Oh..you can go out right now. The couse is empty. The winds keeping people away”. We three happily loaded up the carts and headed for the 1st tee.
The wind was starting to pick up. Initially as we drove to the 1st hole, it was gusting about 30mph. Which is not too bad or too odd for a round of golf in Hawaii. Little did we know that within two holes we were in for some of the worst winds Ive ever seen on a golf course. The wind became a continuous howl easily going 40mph. We found ourselves yelling at each other from three feet away to hear each other over the wind. Teeing up the ball was a feat in itself. On one hole, I swear Russ was about an 1/4inch away from his ball on his downswing when the ball fell off the tee. He still managed to catch a part of the ball but the resulting shot was hilarious. There was no reason to bend down and read putts because the wind would take the ball uphill. Even marking a ball was silly because it was almost impossible to replace the ball without having to push it down into the green. It was not unusual to putt a ball, have it stop about six inches from the hole and then take a turn with the wind, catch some speed and roll right off the front of the green twenty feet away. It was crazy!
To give you an idea how the wind was affecting our shots, Sean and I both had our Skycaddies and were checking our yardages. I hit a couple of good drives into the wind and they measured out at 186 and 192 yards. With the windI measured a drive at 353 yards. On a Par 3 playing at 150 yards, where Id usually use a 9 iron, I hit a knockdown 6 iron only to find myself fifteen yards short of the green.
On any other day, a day at Hapuna would have been spectacular. The views were excellent and the course was in fantastic condition. On the day we played the wind just made it atrocious. We payed $70 to play while tourist would pay $150. As Russ said.if it wasnt for the $70 green fees, wed should have quit at the 9th hole. Upon our return to the club house ***SIGN 3*** The most important sign we should have noticed was posted at the starters desk. “COURSE CONDITIONS: WINDY..NO WIND-CHECKS
Enjoy the pics. of our windy day in Kona! :cheers:
Hapuna Golf Course
Kamuela, Hawaii
6,875 yards from the tips
134 slope/ 72.5 rating
Early Morning.another beautiful day in Hawaii
Putting Green and Club House
On the way to the 1st Tee
1st hole Par 4, 366 yards.
Heading to the 2nd Hole
Notice the grass is still standing straightbut the winds already starting to kick up!
Oh oh.....the flags starting to stay straight out
I had to take these pics after reading the thread in the 19th hole!
Okay..the grass is starting to bendand the ponds are starting to get waves..
Grass is really starting to bend over
hmmwhy is everything leaning left
yeahthat grass is supposed to go straight up!
9th Hole.with the wind.From the tee
Green from the tee box
hmmmmmm..a ball..from the tee box hit with the wind.
you got to love wind aided drives!
For my buddy Beruo..a mountain pic!
Normally placid pond..if not for the wind!
Did I say it was windy??
hmmeverythings going left including the coconut trees!
thank goodness the torture is almost over! Check out those coconut trees!
Some lava fields and scenic stuff near the course..
